Makeup Expiration Guidelines
Just because it hasn’t run out doesn’t mean it’s still effective or hygienic! Your makeup has a shelf date for a reason. I get why people avoid following them though, I hate throwing away eyeshadow too. I think the number one concern is really mascara and foundation. They are the products most prone to giving you either infections or break you out. Here are some guidelines:
- Oil-free foundation: 1 year
- Cream or compact foundation: 18 months
- Concealer: 12-18 months
- Powder: 2 years
- Blush and bronzer: 2 years
- Cream blush: 12-18 months
- Powder eyeshadow: 2 years
- Cream eyeshadow: 12-18 months
- Eyeliner: 2 years
- Liquid eyeliner: 6 mo - 1 year
- Mascara: 3-6 months
- Lipstick: 2 years
- Lip liner: 2 years
- Lip gloss: 18-24 months
- Nail color: 1 year (pfff. I only throw them out when they’re unusable — you can lengthen the life of your nail color if it gets gooey by adding nail polish thinner and shaking it up.)
- Fragrance: 2-5 years
(nabbed from here)
Of course, even I don’t follow these guidelines very specifically — I have way too much eyeshadow to throw it away so soon! I think the most important products you should be adhering to in terms of guidelines are the foundations and mascaras. You should also throw away or donate the products you don’t use on a semi-regular basis (consider it another part of spring cleaning). Someone else might like them! Donating lightly used or even unopened beauty products to your local Women’s Shelter (if they accept them) is great because someone else in need would greatly appreciate them. I do that every 6 months. It keeps my collection well edited.
